Rent Lifeboat (1944)

Agreed with previous reviewer. - Lifeboat review by Cato

Except that it was directed by one of the greatest English directors ever. It was obviously a very good film, but not a great one. I can only surmise that it was obviously made for British film watchers of the time.

Dated - Lifeboat review by JD

A war film about the survivors of a torpedoed British boat in the Atlantic. The occupants become increasingly stressed with dramatic consequences. Not greatly gripping or inspiring, just OK. B&W.

Thirsty Principles - Lifeboat review by griggs

You can feel the squeeze from the first minute: a merchant ship is torpedoed, and suddenly a bunch of strangers—plus one rescued German sailor—are stuck together on one cramped lifeboat. Hitchcock keeps it visually nimble, so it never feels like filmed theatre, and the suspense hangs on one ugly question: can you trust the enemy when survival depends on it?

Tallulah Bankhead dominates as Connie Porter—privileged, vain, razor-bright, and stubbornly alive. As the ordeal strips away her comfort and polish, what’s left is pure backbone, and she stays magnetic. Around her, the boat turns into a tiny society, with class and competence constantly being re-priced.

The survival beats bite: a burial at sea for a dead infant, Gus’s off-screen leg amputation, then that snap of mob justice when they realise the German has been playing them. The film doesn’t gawp; it lets your imagination do the grim work. Two shots stick like splinters—empty arms still cradling loss, and a boot that’s suddenly just surplus. It’s amazing how fast principles evaporate when you’re thirsty.